High Holidays

High Holidays 5780-2019

As we read in the Book of Samuel on Rosh Hashanah, Hannah prayed with all of her heart. We will be striving to pray with this intensity and hope. Together we are creating a deep and joyful experience of realigning our lives and our relationships to help us become the people we aspire to be. Our holiday experience also includes a wide range of childcare and programming for children and families.

Kol Nidrei Food Drive

Once again, FTJC will be collecting donations for the food pantry at the Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights-Inwood. Please bring kosher-certified, unopened, unexpired, non-junk food before Kol Nidrei on Tuesday evening. Suggested items include tuna, rice, beans, oatmeal, pasta, canned veggies, etc. Grab an extra can or box from your pantry shelves or add something to your shopping cart. A little goes a long way for people in need. All donations will be distributed directly and promptly to individuals and families of all backgrounds right here in the neighborhood. As we prepare for the fast day of Yom Kippur, let's remember to help those who struggle to put food on their plates. Thank you in advance for participating in this important mitzvah!

How to Join Us for the High Holidays

Our High Holiday services are open to all, and all are welcome.

If you’re a member, as in prior years, High Holiday attendance is included with your membership. New members can join here and existing members can renew their membership here. Please note: this year we will not be printing paper entrance cards; your name will be on a list with the greeters at the door.

If you are not yet a member and don't feel ready to become one, that's OK too! However, we strongly encourage you to pre-register here by Thursday September 26 at 11:59 PM to ensure that we have your name on the registration list and can seat you on time for the start of services. Those who arrive without having registered may be asked to wait until after services begin, and will be admitted only if space remains.

We also ask that non-members make a donation if you plan to join us for the High Holidays. We depend primarily on community support for our programming, including High Holiday services, and we thank you in advance for your generosity. Our standard recommended donation is $180 per person. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you would like to discuss an alternative payment arrangement, please e-mail membership@ftjc.org.

Members who wish to bring additional guests are welcome to do so by pre-registering them and making an additional donation, as described for non-members above. Additional guests may be registered here.

Children’s Services, Programming and Childcare

Children love the holidays, and we love children. We will be offering engaging programs and prayer services throughout the High Holidays, for a wide range of age groups from infants to teenagers.

Childcare is available for children ages 6 months to 5th grade. Childcare will be available on site, for children from 6 months old through 5th grade, during the morning services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as well as for the Yom Kippur evening services of Kol Nidre and Mincha/Ne’ilah/Ma’ariv. To ensure an appropriate child-to-babysitter ratio, we require that families pre-register and pre-pay for childcare by filling out this form.

The deadline to sign up for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur childcare is Monday, September 16 at 11:59 PM. Please note that registration is required only for childcare. Children’s services and programming are available at no additional cost to families who are members or who have pre-registered as non-members. Following registration for childcare, you will receive additional information about the day and what to bring.

The schedule posted below identifies the non-childcare children's programming, which consists of age-appropriate services, activities, story time, snacks, outdoor time, etc.

Zera'im (0-PreK)

Nitzanim (PreK-2nd)

Shorashim (3rd-5th)

Anafim (6th-8th) and up

Rosh Hashanah Day 1

Program: 11-11:30

Tefillah: 11:30-12

Program: 12-12:30

Tefillah: 11:00-11:45

Program: 11:45-12:15

Program: 12:15-12:45

Program: 11-11:45

Tefillah: 11:45-12:30

Program: 11:45-12:30

Rosh Hashanah Day 2

Program: 11-11:30

Tefillah: 11:30-12:15

Program: 11-11:45

Tefillah: 12-12:45

Tefillah: 11-11:45

Program: 12-12:45

Program: 10:00-10:30

Yom Kippur

Tefillah: 10:30-11:15

Program: 11:30-12

Tefillah: 10:45-11:30

Program: 11:45-12:30

Program: 10:45-11:30

Tefillah: 11:45-12:30

Program: 11:30-12:15

If you have any questions relating to children and families on the High Holidays, please email Mira Kessler, FTJC’s Youth & Family Educator & Community Organizer. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Schedule of Prayer Services

All services will be held at FTJC’s current rental home at the Hebrew Tabernacle, 551 Fort Washington Avenue at West 185th Street, unless otherwise noted. Please enter for all services via the door on Fort Washington Avenue. To discuss accessibility needs, please contact info@ftjc.org.

There is a low ramp from the sidewalk, and a more steeply inclined ramp to the Main Service level.

Greeters will be near the entry to help you find anything.

A booklet will be available with service times, service outlines, alternative readings, and more.

Men’s room is in the classroom hallway behind the Social Hall (up three stairs); women’s room is near the entrance (no stairs); a single-user all-gender bathroom is on the 2nd floor (one flight of stairs up, by the entrance).

Feel free to bring a cushion if it will help you sit for long periods.

Feel free to bring a book or other reading to help you enter the spirit of reflection and teshuvah of the holidays.

Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are welcome, with discretion and consideration. Other kids’ snacks should not be in the Main Service, please.

Diaper changing table will be available in Classroom #1 (little kids’ room).

Children's services and learning will be in many different rooms, please check the schedules all around, and please ask if you need help finding a room.

Children must be supervised by grownups at all times--either family, childcare staff, or program leaders--due to the high volume of people and programming. This is unlike regular Shabbats at FTJC, so please explain this to your children in advance. Thank you.

The Library will serve as a quiet calming room for anyone who finds the Main Service overstimulating. It will be available at nearly all times on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Please do not use the Library for noisy activities such as children's play or general shmoozing.

The Kitchen will be available as a place to eat or drink if you are unable to or should not fast on Yom Kippur due to medical conditions, eating disorders, or other factors. If you have questions about fasting, please contact Rabbi Guy Austrian.

TashlichFTJC and our neighbors at the Beis Community will meet at the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge at the edge of the Hudson River. The meeting time is Monday, September 30, 4:00 PM. To walk with others, meet at 3:45 PM by the footbridge (near 1380 Riverside at West 181st Street). Please bring your own bread and some for others! RAIN DATE: If the weather is rainy on Monday September 30, then Tashlich will be held on Tuesday October 1 at the same time, 4:00 PM.

Break-fastImmediately following Ne’ilah, join the FTJC community for a light break-fast. Enjoy a little nosh to tide you over until you head home, or maybe to a friend’s place, to continue breaking the fast.